The Browns have “thrown around” the name of guard Kevin Zeitler in trade talks, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com tweets. It’s a tad surprising to hear that the Browns are exploring a Zeitler trade given his ability and the dead money cap hit that would be associated with dealing him. 
On Wednesday, the Browns released linebacker Jamie Collins to save $9MM+ in cap space versus just $2.5MM in dead money. Trading Zeitler, meanwhile, would be roughly the inverse: a savings of $1.7MM versus $10.7MM in dead cap space.
At the time of signing, the Browns’ old regime made him the highest paid guard in the NFL with a five-year, $60MM deal that was more than 50% guaranteed. The payout structure would make this release totally unpalatable for most teams, but the Browns have upwards of $80MM in cap room and could conceivably take the hit in exchange for a sizable draft haul.
If the Browns move Zeitler, they could turn to rising sophomore Austin Corbett, who was selected by John Dorsey in the second round of last year’s draft. Corbett has promise and a rookie deal that will carry a modest $1.71MM cap hit in 2019, making him an intriguing replacement.
Bad idea
Yep. The last time the Browns let a top OL get away (Alex Mack) the Falcons thanked them on their way to a SB appearance.
Mitchell Schwartz too
28-3
I normally trust Aditi, but even when I originally saw her tweet, I couldn’t possibly understand it. I just don’t understand the logic unless some team significantly overpays for him.
He’s too good and the dead money is too much; they can afford to keep him, so it’s not like they need to save cap space. I get wanting to make room for Corbett, but he can either force the issue on his own by looking better in practice or he can still be solid depth.
The dead cap with a trade should be $7.2mm. $3.5mm of his base salary is guaranteed for 2019, which would be paid by the team acquiring him. For the acquiring team, the contract is 3 years and $32mm. While he’s one of the top guards (pff source), I’m not sure he has much surplus value given that contract. Only Scherff and Norwell have higher base salaries. Possibly that’s worth a 4th or 5th round pick given this free agent class.
Should keep him. He’s a good player. Even if he’s “overpaid” (which I don’t think he is), he should be more useful for whatever pick the browns would get in return… I don’t know where Corbett gets the “rising sophomore” label. He barely did anything last year
Thrown around? I’m sure Dorsey has thrown around a lot of names, looking to see who’ll bite, and at what price.
If he is dealt look at after june 1
That’s shocking and stupid, but it’s browns, so it speaks for itself
This is sooooo 2016.
Yup
Eagles will gladly trade a 4 th for him
He’d be a tight squeeze with their lack of cap space
Heard a rumor that zeitler and draft picks with maybe another player would go to the giants for Beckham
Come on Lynch, go get Zeitler…He has to be better than Person, who just got resigned, but Person could be an excellent backup guard.
I’m not entirely sure how Zeitler would do in a ZBS-based running game, but considering he’s one of the highest ranked guards, I’m sure he’d do great regardless..
With Staley and McGlinchey locking down the tackle spots, Richburg at Center, and with Zeitler and Tomlinson at the guard spots, that would be an extremely solid grouping for Jimmy G.
Hopefully, the addition of Zeitler could also help with their pass protection!! Their run blocking was pretty solid last season, but they need some help in the pass-blocking department. I am not entirely sure how Zeitler grades out in pass protection, but he has to be an upgrade over Person.
Even if it’s a 3rd rounder, or early 4th I’d definitely make that trade. I think the benefit in keeping the QB upright, and giving him that little bit of extra time to help plays develop, those benefits alone would justify the pick for Zeitler.
However, even with all of that being said, it still doesn’t make a ton of sense for the Browns. The only way it makes sense for the Browns is if they’re just enamored with Corbett, and they really just want to give him a starting spot this season.
If that’s the case, then I can see why they’d want to trade Zeitler away. Other then that though, you have a young QB-RB duo that are the building blocks of your offense, so it would only make sense you’d want to have the absolute best lineman for them as possible moving forward.
Come on Philly this is worth it. Need to keep Wentz upright.